Brauns Law - December 2020

404-418-8244 DEC 2020

WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM

3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096

Some Toys Aren’t Meant for Tots The Story of My Best Christmas Ever

It’s been a long year, but we made it! It’s the last month of 2020, and even though everyone is eager to put the past year behind us, it’s times like these that can really teach us the most about life. To that end, I’d like to share the story of my best (and craziest) Christmas ever. I was 8 years old, and my family had moved to the suburbs outside Baltimore, Maryland. It was a unique location out in farm country, and our neighborhood backed right up to the huge Liberty Reservoir. We were right on the water, and the surrounding area was entirely covered in woods. Those details are important for later. That Christmas morning started out like every Christmas that involves young kids. My brother and I woke up before the crack of dawn ready to open presents and bugged our parents to get out of bed. My mom always made sure to buy each of us the exact same number of presents so we didn’t fight over them and beat each other up. Anyone who has siblings will understand that logic. We tore through all the gifts, and that’s when I noticed there was an extra gift under the tree for me. I opened it up, but it took me a moment to figure out what was going on. When I finally did, I looked up to see my dad beaming excitedly and my mom looking on with sheer horror.

It was a motorcycle helmet. My dad had won a Honda XR80 dirt bike in a raffle and brought it home for me for Christmas. My mom had no idea about it, and as you can imagine, she was not on board. But the deed was already done. So the entire family gathered in the big field outside our house as I eagerly hopped on the dirt bike. My mom was terrified, my brother was jealous, and my dad egged me on to just rev the thing and go. So I did. It turns out that dirt bikes aren’t great gifts for 8-year-olds. I had no idea what I was doing, and don’t even know how I managed to get going with no instruction. But I do vividly remember that I couldn’t figure out how to stop. So naturally, I bolted off for a few yards before skidding the bike out and toppling off. Luckily, I wasn’t hurt, but I was so shaken that I refused to ever get on that thing again. This is where the “life-impacting” part comes in. My dad felt so bad for dangling this great, but entirely inappropriate, gift in front of me that he traded it in for a Honda three-wheeler instead. It was much more stable and manageable, and it ended up contributing to some of the best memories of my childhood. I rode it up and down all the fire roads, weaving through the woods and around the reservoir for years.

There was a whole network of abandoned beaches and dilapidated buildings to explore that were all thrilling for a preteen. The long afternoons I spent zipping around on that thing gave me a sense of freedom and adventure that I had never experienced before. It taught me the responsibility of fending for myself and the excitement of curiosity and exploration. It opened up a whole new world to me, and I can still picture those winding trails through the trees like I was there yesterday. Moments in life don’t always turn out the way you imagine they will. I think both my parents and I learned that lesson that Christmas morning. But as they say, when one door closes, another one opens. And sometimes, that second door is a really spectacular one if we let it be. I hope you’ve found a way to make the most of this unexpected year and have a truly wonderful holiday season. -David Brauns

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Be a Better Listener for Someone

WHO NEEDS TO ‘GET IT ALL OUT’

It’s not always easy to share feelings of frustration, anger, sadness, or other strong emotions — but it’s healthy to share them. Sometimes, we need to vent and get it all out. Venting gives us an opportunity to release these emotions, which often leads to mental clarity. However, when someone comes to you to vent and share their heavy emotional burden, listening can be just as challenging as sharing. You want to be supportive, but you don’t want to interfere. Strong feelings and tough situations may be involved. What can you do to be the listener they really need? It starts with your body language. Open yourself to their emotional needs. Gregorio Billikopf, an interpersonal relationship expert at the University of California, Berkeley says if you begin the conversation standing, invite the person to have a seat with you. Another thing you can do as a listener is position yourself below their eye line. This puts the person venting in a more active “storyteller” position and you in a better

“listener” position. While in this position, maintain eye contact. It’s okay to look down or away occasionally, but try to keep steady eye contact. Billikopf also notes that, as a listener, it’s important to avoid interjecting. Don’t offer input, suggestions, or guidance to the person venting until after the person has had the chance to get it all out. “During this venting process, there is still too much pressure for a person to consider other perspectives,” Billikopf says. While you don’t want to interject, you do want to be an active listener. This means you don’t want to be completely silent. This is where “reflective listening” comes

in. Occasionally repeat what the speaker says — but don’t use their exact phrasing. Reword slightly in a sympathetic manner. Don’t spin their words or mistakenly interject an opinion, as it may not be the opinion they’re interested in hearing. Alternatively, listening cues like “mm” or “hm” and nods are always welcome. One last thing to keep in mind: You do not need to offer a solution to the person’s problem or concerns. They may just be venting to get their negative emotions out, not looking for answers or explanations. If they are looking for answers or guidance, wait for them to ask. In the meantime, lend your ear and let them know you’re there for them going forward.

DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

Testimonials

“Mrs. Erica walked me through every detail and answered all my questions even if I repeated one. They were so helpful and gave me a lot of advice. The office is very beautiful, and when inside, you are welcome with open arms and have a beautiful view. Mr. David I got me some new Jordans! Thanks for everything. If I ever need another lawyer, I will be contacting you guys from here on out!” –Renee H. “David and Haley are ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL! Very professional, caring, kind — all around a great law firm! I highly recommend!” –Amanda G.

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HO-HO-HONE YOUR SAFETY SKILLS

10 Tips for Holiday Decorating

There’s nothing quite like a big tree in your living room and bright lights on your roof to get in the holiday spirit. But every year, emergency rooms across the country see an increase in injuries caused by lax safety considerations while decorating. Follow these 10 tips for decorating safely so you can enjoy every moment of your holiday season. 1. Double-check all lights for frayed wires or cracked bulbs before plugging them into an outlet and make sure each socket contains a bulb. Discard any damaged strands. 2. When decorating outside, keep your ladders and decorations away from overhead power lines. Also, ensure the ladder is secure before climbing it and have someone hold it in place at the bottom. 3. Lights should have “UL” displayed clearly on their tags. This signifies they’ve been inspected by the Underwriters Laboratory

for safety hazards. A red UL means the lights are safe for indoor and outdoor use; green indicates indoor use only. 4. Never hammer tacks or nails into the electrical cord when hanging lights. Use clips to safely attach your lights to your house instead. 5. Only use extension cords outside if they’re specifically designated for outdoor use. Also, avoid overloading extension cords by using no more than three sets of lights per cord. 6. Any outdoor decorations, including lights and inflatable decor, should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) to help prevent electric shock when touched. 7. Use a timer or set a daily reminder to turn off all lights before going to bed or leaving your home. Don’t leave your decorations turned on all night.

8. Any indoor lights should never touch curtains, furniture, or carpeting.

Also, keep all candles away from these flammable items.

9. If you use ornaments that plug into a bulb receptacle, check the manufacturer’s

directions for how many are safe to plug in to a single strand.

10. Place loose cords and decorations in low-traffic areas to prevent tripping.

By taking these simple steps, you’ll create peace of mind that allows you to focus more on your loved ones during the holidays. Just don’t forget to periodically check on your decorations to make sure everything looks as good as the day you put them up!

WORD SEARCH

FESTIVE APPLE CIDER

If you’re cutting back on calories, skip the eggnog and buttered rum this year and fill up your mug with this delicious mulled cider!

Ingredients • 1 lemon

• 2 tsp allspice berries • 1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp honey • 3 cinnamon sticks

• 1 gallon pure apple cider • 1 large orange, thinly sliced crosswise • 2 tsp whole cloves

Directions 1. Using a paring knife, shave the lemon peel off in curls. Reserve the curls and save the lemon for use in a different recipe. 2. In a large slow cooker, combine the lemon peel with all other ingredients. Cook on low for 3–4 hours. 3. If desired, use a sieve to strain the spices. Serve and enjoy!

CAROL CHEER COCOA FAMILY

GIFT HOLIDAY

SHOVEL SLEDDING SNOW TURQUOISE

HOLLY PEACE

Inspired by BoulderLocavore.com

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

404-418-8244 | WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330 DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096

Page 1

The Story of My Craziest Christmas

Page 2

How to Be a Better Listener for Someone in Need

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What Some of Our Clients Are Saying

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10 Tips for Safe Holiday Decorating

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Festive Apple Cider

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The Surprising History of the Snowman

The Surprising History of the Snowman Not Just a Corn Cob Pipe and Button Nose

Building a snowman is one of the most picturesque winter activities, which is why snowmen have become a wintertime cultural icon. A snowman appeared on the very first postcards, was the subject of some of the earliest photos, and even starred in silent movies. Frosty may be a happy snowman now, but his ancestors have a much more varied — and sometimes dark — history. THE MIDDLE AGES Snowmen were a phenomenon in the Middle Ages. They were constructed with deep thought and great skill because, during a time of limited means of expression, snow was a free art supply that literally fell from the sky. These artistic feats were popular winter attractions for well-to-do couples who wanted to get their fix of temporary art. Snowmen were often created by famous artists, including 19-year-old Michelangelo who, in 1494, was commissioned by the ruler of Florence to sculpt a snowman in his mansion’s courtyard. THE MIRACLE OF 1511 In Brussels in 1511, during six weeks of subzero temperatures called the Winter of Death, the city was miraculously adorned with hundreds of snowmen. The spectacle told stories on every street corner — some

political and some demonstrating anger with the church, many too risque to speak of. For the people of Brussels, this Miracle of 1511 was a defining moment of artistic freedom. But when spring came and the snow thawed, the Belgians were left with damaging floods. THE SCHENECTADY MASSACRE

Not all snowmen have an innocent history. In 1690, former Fort Schenectady in upstate New York was home to a remote Dutch settlement, which was under the constant threat of attack. Soldiers guarded the gates at all times because they were frozen open, but during a blizzard, they left a pair of snowmen to protect the gates while they sought shelter. That’s when 200 French Canadian soldiers and Native Americans approached. Naturally, they were unfazed by the snowmen and ruthlessly invaded the settlement. Building a snowman seems like a simple and charming activity, but after learning about its surprising history, you might find those piles of snow seem a little more complicated and a lot more meaningful than before.

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